The Streaming Wars Have Begun
VIRAL DEEPFAKE SENSATION
Last week a new Chinese deepfake app, Zao, stormed the download charts becoming an overnight hit. The app allows users to insert themselves into a range of popular movies from an uploaded selfie.
The privacy concerns of the app (and parent company) have become so great that even state-controlled media have been running the story. For more check out the Forbes write up.
APPLE V NETFLIX V DISNEY V EVERYONE
I'll be honest, I don't want to admit to being a colossal fanboy who woke up at 3am last week to watch the Apple September keynote. But, I did, and I am.
Now, I could talk about the new phones and iPads, but frankly, I'm sure you're all over it. Instead, let's talk about the official release of Apple TV+, Apples foray into the streaming game. So, here's the deal. The service will launch on the first of November (before the Disney+ launch), with a bunch of Apple originals all featuring big names (Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and more) and following the launch new originals will drop every month.
Here's the kicker though, unlike Netflix and Disney+ (around the $10-$15 a month range), Apple TV+ will only cost $4.99 a month - which is ludicrous. On top of that, any new Apple hardware purchase will come with a free one-year subscription.
My initial thoughts are that until Apple can acquire some existing IP's (Sony??) this new service will struggle to compete with Netflix and Disney, but hey anyone buying one of the new phones can let us know in November.